High-pressure-gas Tank Patents (Class 220/581)
  • Patent number: 7322487
    Abstract: A propane tank cover, which safely covers, protects, and locks a propane tank having a protective cage. The propane tank cover has a protective cover, a safety cover, a tabletop, and a tablecloth for use as an end table. The safety cover has an upper circular plate having an outer edge for covering the protective cage, and a lower locking collar for fitting around the protective cage. The tabletop has a bottom surface having a centrally positioned track having a slotted channel. The slotted channel receives the outer edge of the upper circular plate for securing the tabletop to the safety cover and propane tank. The tablecloth is draped over the tabletop for fully covering the tabletop, safety cover, and propane tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Frederick Hill
  • Patent number: 7208207
    Abstract: A liner for a high pressure gas container includes a resin composition containing a polyphenylene sulfide resin and an olefin based resin. The resin composition has a methane gas permeability coefficient of 1.7×10?16 mol·m/m2·s·Pa or smaller at 40° C., and tensile elongation of 50% or greater after fracture at 23° C. A high pressure gas container having such a liner is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Ono, Junji Koizumi, Yasuhiro Nishimura, Shingo Shimojima, Keiji Takenaka, Tetsuya Suzuki, Tsuyoshi Kato, Kuniyoshi Kondo, Takashi Ishikawa, Hirokazu Shimizu, Itsuo Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7131553
    Abstract: A cellular reservoir flexible pressure vessel is formed as a series of closely packed tubes fitted into a pair of opposing end caps. The end caps have individual receptacles sized and shaped to receive the tube ends that are secured with adhesive or radio frequency welding. At least one end cap has a passageway for connection of the vessel. The flexible pressure vessel has a pressure relief device comprising a reduction in thickness of one end cap at a predetermined location. When subjected to overpressure it fails at the predetermined location. Other pressure relief devices include: a projecting member on the vessel surface, a weakened section of the passageway, a weakening or an absence of braiding material or hoop winding at a predetermined location on the vessel surface or along the passageway, a weakening or spreading of fibers in either the reinforcing panels or the flexible blankets covering the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Inventor: Stan A. Sanders
  • Patent number: 7124908
    Abstract: An ovoid flexible pressure vessel is described. At least one hollow pressure cell, formed of resilient material, a passageway, a valving means, a capillary tube, hoop winding, high-strength braiding material and at least one reinforcing ring are provided. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel has a pressure relief device comprising a reduction in thickness of the hollow pressure cell at a predetermined location whereby, when the hollow pressure cell is subjected to an overpressure condition it will fail at the predetermined location. Further pressure release devices include the following: a reduction in thickness of the cell, an indentation, a projecting member, a weakened section of the passageway, a weakening or an absence of high-strength braiding material or hoop winding at a predetermined location along the passageway, a weakening or spreading of fibers in either of the reinforcing panels or in either flexible blankets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Stan A. Sanders
  • Patent number: 7121423
    Abstract: A flexible pressure vessel is constructed from at least one pair of upper and mating lower dome shaped cell portions. The dome portions are molded from sheets of resilient material and joined together by radio frequency welding or high-strength adhesives. Upper and lower passageway portions extend outwardly from each cell portion to the surrounding sheet material. When the cell portions are joined the passageway portions are joined to form a passageway for connection to a valve or another cell. Upper and lower rings surround the upper and lower cell portions to provide reinforcement for the cells. First and second blankets of heavy-duty fiber reinforced material are attached over the upper and lower cell portions and stitched in place with heavy-duty stitching extending through the resilient material surrounding the cell portions. Cell shaped sponges impregnated with absorbent materials are encased in liquid and gas impermeable plastic tubing and inserted into the cells prior to joining of the cell portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Stan A. Sanders
  • Patent number: 7059187
    Abstract: A seamless marine fuel tank having directly mechanically fastened component parts such as a fuel withdrawal assembly and a direct-sight fuel gauge system. The fuel withdrawal system contains a split-nut fastening device which fastens the system to the tank and allows for 360 rotation of fuel withdrawal outlet. The direct-sight gauge contains a threaded gauge neck with a cradle and tabs in its interior wall into which a one-piece float arm is snapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Tempo Products Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John Clarke, III, Ronald Eureka
  • Patent number: 7036677
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure vessel for storage of solid, liquid and/or gaseous media under an operating pressure above atmospheric pressure, wherein the pressure vessel encloses a hollow space provided for storage of the medium, and is provided with at least one connector for loading and/or unloading. Because the pressure vessel is composed at least in part of a tube that in turn is manufactured from a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic, wherein the thermoplastic material contains more than 10% by volume of fibers with an average fiber length over 50 mm, the pressure vessel has a low weight and a very good resistance to corrosion and resistance to chemically aggressive media, yet it nevertheless withstands the mechanical stresses of the normal high operating pressures up to 25 Mpa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventors: Ralph Funck, Joachim Hausmann
  • Patent number: 7032767
    Abstract: A plastic core container is reinforced with a fibre-plastic composite for storing pressurized liquid and/or gaseous media and includes one or more connecting parts located in the neck and/or base and/or cylindrical container part. At least one connecting part is configured to receive a screw-in cylindrical or conical pressure-line feed device. A cylindrical insert is mounted in a connection shank of the plastic core container and has an end collar that envelops or surrounds the end of the connection shank. At least two seals are positioned so that at least one seal lies between the insert and the inner surface of the plastic connecting shank and at least one additional seal lies between the insert and the pressure-line feed device to guarantee a tight and permanent impermeability in the vicinity of the connecting parts, even under extreme, fluctuating thermal and operational stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Ralph Funck
  • Patent number: 7021488
    Abstract: A pressure vessel assembly, and method of use, for storing a gas at an elevated pressure. The assembly includes a vessel body having a rigid wall with an inner surface defining a storage chamber and with an inlet allowing the gas to enter the storage chamber. The assembly includes a flexible liner positioned within the storage chamber to be in fluid communication with the inlet to receive any fluid entering the vessel body. The liner is formed of an elastic inner layer contacting the gas and a metallic outer surface. The inflated, unrestrained liner volume is generally at least as large as the chamber volume and more typically, slightly larger. Stored gas contacts the inner surface of the liner and expands the liner from a smaller deflated volume until the outer surface of the liner contacts the wall of the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott R. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7021487
    Abstract: A metal container to be filled with a halogen containing gas, with the inner surface processed with a polishing agent. The gas has a reduced purity decline by the increase of the water content or impurities from the inner surface of the container which is absorbed by the gas over the passage of time. The inner surface processing method is improved such that the value of dividing the area of the Si2s peak by the area of the Fe2p3/2 peak in the X-ray photoelectron spectrum of the gas container inner surface with the inner surface process with a polishing agent applied is 0.3 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Akio Kikkawa, Shigeo Kanayama, Isao Harada
  • Patent number: 7017771
    Abstract: A pressure vessel having a relief area onto which a flange of a side port can be attached. The relief area includes a planar mating surface raised from the cylindrical sidewall of the vessel. A method for forming the pressure vessel includes providing a cylindrical mandrel provided with a side port spacer. Fiberglass is wrapped onto the mandrel and space. The fiberglass is impregnated with resin and the resin is cured. A metallic insert ring is embedded in a full bore open end of the pressure vessel. The ring has a cross-section having a height to width ratio of less than 0.7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: ESSEF Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Kothera, George S. Ellis, Christian Gargiulo
  • Patent number: 6908006
    Abstract: An annular fitting recess is formed circumferentially in the exterior of a tank body in the vicinity of the boundary between a dome section and a cylindrical gas discharge section of the tank body. A cylindrical reinforcing collar is fitted onto the cylindrical gas discharge section of the tank body to fit an annular boss of the reinforcing collar in the fitting recess of the tank body and then engaged integrally on the exterior of the tank body between the cylindrical gas discharge section and the dome section by shrinkage. This provides easily and inexpensively a high-pressure tank capable of withstanding high pressures of 35 to 75 MPa while keeping its lightness in weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignees: Samtech Corporation, Samtech Internaional, Inc., Hypercomp Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Teppei Sakaguchi, Yoshiki Sakaguchi, Shaun C. Hogan
  • Patent number: 6886711
    Abstract: In a high-pressure tank 1 in which a gas discharge section 5 is extended from one end of a cylindrical section 2 through a dome section 4 by plastically deforming a short hollow cylindrical blank of metal, the gas discharge section 5 is set at a thickness at least three times that of the cylindrical section 2, and the dome section 4 is gradually increased in thickness from that of the cylindrical section 2 to that of the gas discharge section 5 in proceeding from the cylindrical section 2 to the gas discharge section 5. Thereby, a high-pressure tank capable of withstanding higher pressures than used at the present time is provided easily and at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Samtech Corporation
    Inventors: Teppei Sakaguchi, Yoshiki Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 6835362
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector assembly (3) for connection to a container (1) for sterilising goods, preferably for pharmaceutical applications, and a releasable connector port (5) for releasably connecting said connector assembly (3) to a treatment station (1) for the goods that is contained in said container (1). Said connector assembly (3) further includes a second port that initially is provided with a detachable rapid transfer port cap (4), which cap (4) corresponds to a rapid transfer port means (15) that is provided at a goods transfer station (12). The connector port (5) and the rapid transfer port cap (4) are in fluid connection via a good stopper means (7). The invention also relates to a multi-treatment sterilising system and to a method for transferring sterilised goods from a multi-purpose container using a system according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Getinge Sterilization Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Jan-Olof Eriksson
  • Publication number: 20040238545
    Abstract: The invention relates to a manufacturing process for a compressed gas tank, for example natural gas intended for a motor vehicle, of the type incorporating a metallic inner envelope 1 and an outer envelope 8 of a composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Gerard Goffre
  • Publication number: 20040229101
    Abstract: A fuel cell, cartridge, and/or container includes a fuel consuming agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Stuart M. Davis
  • Publication number: 20040211784
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-cell tank (2) for pressurised gas formed by a group of tubes (2a) immersed in a fibrous resin body (4) and reinforced by means of external texture (7), closed with two covers that feature a intercommunicating series of domes on the internal side, which exactly match the opening of the tubes of the group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Nicolantonio Luongo
  • Publication number: 20040206762
    Abstract: The pressure vessel of the present invention comprises an inner shell capable of serving as a gas barrier and a pressure resistant outer shell provided to cover the inner shell, said outer shell being made of an FRP comprising reinforcing fibers and a resin and is 35 GPa or more in tensile modulus and 1.5% or more in tensile breaking strain. The present invention can provide a pressure vessel not only light in weight,.but also excellent in retaining its internal pressure against repetitive impacts and also excellent in reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yasushi Iida, Akihiko Kitano, Masayoshi Yamagiwa, Masanobu Kobayashi, Kenichi Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20040200847
    Abstract: In a fuel supply structure of a working machine according to the present invention, a hollow connection box which also serves as a sub-tank is integrally formed at a lower end portion of a filler neck which forms a fuel supply port. A connection port is formed in one side wall of the connection box and a fuel supply pipe is connected to the connection port. According to this construction, a suitable direction for connection of the filler neck and the fuel supply pipe can be selected and thus it is possible to enhance the piping freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Keiji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20040188445
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fibre-reinforced pressure vessel (1, 6) comprising a rigid gas- of fluid-tight body (2, 7, 13, 19) overwound with fibre filaments (3, 10,11, 18), whereby the fibre filaments are wound such that at least a number of fibre filaments can freely move with respect to one another and when the pressure vessel is under internal pressure the fibre filaments are loaded exactly in their longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Advanced Lightweight Constructions Group B.V.
    Inventors: Andy Debecker, Oscar Christoph van der Jagt, Jan Jacobus Matthijs Koppert
  • Patent number: 6796453
    Abstract: A cellular reservoir flexible pressure vessel is formed as a series of closely packed tubes fitted into a pair of opposing end caps. The end caps have individual receptacles sized and shaped to receive the tube ends that are secured with adhesive or radio frequency welding. At least one end cap has a passageway for connection of the vessel. The vessel may be formed in a variety of useful shapes and the tubes may have various internal and external cross-sections. The end caps may be filled with sintactic foam with canals leading to the passageway. Microtubes through the syntactic foam may connect the tubes to the passageway. The vessel is further strengthened by overwrapping with high-strength braiding material, hoop winding or by overlayment with high-strength fabric. The vessel is further strengthened by coating with plastic resin. Apparatus and methods for forming the cellular reservoir flexible vessels are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Stan A. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20040182869
    Abstract: A high pressure tank has a cylindrical liner and a fiber reinforced plastic layer which covers the outer surface of the liner. At least one end of the liner is separable. The liner includes a cylindrical liner body and a lid. An O-ring is located between the contact surfaces of the liner body and the lid in the circumferential direction. Each contact surface has a seal surface which contacts the O-ring. One of the liner body and the lid has a deformable portion which deforms toward the seal surfaces. The structure can securely seal the separated portions of the liner when the high pressure tank is in a high pressure state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Hidehito Kubo, Makoto Tsuzuki, Keiji Toh, Akiko Kumano, Daigoro Mori, Masahiko Kimbara
  • Publication number: 20040173618
    Abstract: A flange is provided at the opening metal of a pressure container, and it extends toward the periphery of the container body at the bonding part thereof at which it bonds to the container body. The liner of the pressure container has a self-sealing part at which it abuts the flange to be sealed up together. On the outer peripheral side of the self-sealing part, a ring-shaped constraint member is provided in the outer periphery of the liner, and the constraint member is to restrict the diameter expansion of the liner to be caused by the expansion of the container body. The liner has an easily-displaceable part that is readily elongable and deformable, at the outer periphery thereof in the radial direction of the self-sealing part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Tetsuya Suzuki, Minoru Komada, Kazuo Fujihara, Yoshiaki Kondo, Takashi Maeno, Isamu Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20040149759
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gastight, pressure-resistant storage and/or transport container (10) for low-molecular, reactive filling media, especially for hydrogen, oxygen, air, methane and/or methanol. Said container has a high filling pressure and is embodied in an essentially rotationally symmetric manner, having at least one connector cap (15) with a sealing device (16). The wall (12) of the container is essentially comprised of a thermoplastic synthetic material having at least one diffusion barrier (18, 19) system and/or a diffusion barrier and anti-corrosion system (18, 19). In order to offer protection for hydrogen and oxygen containers, the diffusion barrier system can be embodied in the form of at least one compact layer and/or can contain finely dispersed, distributed reactive nanoparticles (18) in the wall (12) of the container, in at least one composite film (28) and/or in at least one diffusion barrier layer (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Eva Maria Moser, Armin Reller
  • Publication number: 20040104235
    Abstract: A cylindrical reinforcing collar is fitted onto a cylindrical gas discharge section of a tank body and then engaged integrally on the exterior of the tank body between the cylindrical gas discharge section and the dome section by shrink fitting. This provides, easily and inexpensively, a high-pressure tank capable of withstanding high pressures of 35 to 75 MPa while keeping its lightness in weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicants: Samtech Corporation, Samtech International, Inc., Hypercomp Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Teppei Sakaguchi, Yoshiki Sakaguchi, Shaun C. Hogan
  • Publication number: 20040094557
    Abstract: An ovoid flexible pressure vessel is described. At least one hollow pressure cell, formed of resilient material, a passageway, a valving means, a capillary tube, hoop winding, high-strength braiding material and at least one reinforcing ring are provided. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel has a pressure relief device comprising a reduction in thickness of the hollow pressure cell at a predetermined location whereby, when the hollow pressure cell is subjected to an overpressure condition it will fail at the predetermined location. Further pressure release devices include the following: a reduction in thickness of the cell, an indentation, a projecting member, a weakened section of the passageway, a weakening or an absence of high-strength braiding material or hoop winding at a predetermined location along the passageway, a weakening or spreading of fibers in either of the reinforcing panels or in either flexible blankets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Stan A. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20040094556
    Abstract: A flexible pressure vessel is constructed from at least one pair of upper and mating lower dome shaped cell portions. The dome portions are molded from sheets of resilient material and joined together by radio frequency welding or high-strength adhesives. Upper and lower passageway portions extend outwardly from each cell portion to the surrounding sheet material. When the cell portions are joined the passageway portions are joined to form a passageway for connection to a valve or another cell. Upper and lower rings surround the upper and lower cell portions to provide reinforcement for the cells. First and second blankets of heavy-duty fiber reinforced material are attached over the upper and lower cell portions and stitched in place with heavy-duty stitching extending through the resilient material surrounding the cell portions. Cell shaped sponges impregnated with absorbent materials are encased in liquid and gas impermeable plastic tubing and inserted into the cells prior to joining of the cell portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Stan A. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20040056164
    Abstract: Structures for securing a fluid containment cylinder at the neck portion of the cylinder include a mounting frame having a bore disposed therein and a slot disposed orthogonally to the central axis of the bore. The neck of the cylinder passes through the bore and a u-bolt passes through the slot, registering against a shoulder on the neck of the cylinder, thereby securing the cylinder within the block. In other embodiments, the securing structure includes a collar for preventing rotation of the cylinder or for accommodating a certain degree of misalignment of the cylinder with respect to the securement structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: J. A. Eihusen, Norman L. Newhouse
  • Publication number: 20040035870
    Abstract: In a high-pressure tank 1 in which a gas discharge section 5 is extended from one end of a cylindrical section 2 through a dome section 4 by plastically deforming a short hollow cylindrical blank of metal, the gas discharge section 5 is set at a thickness at least three times that of the cylindrical section 2, and the dome section 4 is gradually increased in thickness from that of the cylindrical section 2 to that of the gas discharge section 5 in proceeding from the cylindrical section 2 to the gas discharge section 5. Thereby, a high-pressure tank capable of withstanding higher pressures than used at the present time is provided easily and at low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicants: Samtech Corporation, Samtech International, Inc.
    Inventors: Teppei Sakaguchi, Yoshiki Sakaguchi
  • Publication number: 20040031800
    Abstract: A pressure tank having a reinforced stainless steel connector that can bear heavy weight and the stainless steel connector makes the pressure tank well water-tightened. The pressure tank mainly contains: an upper chamber, an inner chamber, a sealing washer, a stainless steel connector, a leakproof ring, an elastic diaphragm, a stainless steel ring washer and a lower chamber. The upper chamber has a hole on top thereof. The upper chamber encloses the inner chamber. The inner chamber has an inward protrusion on top thereof. The inward protrusion has a through hole aligned with the hole of the upper chamber and a recession around the through thereof. The sealing washer is installed between the upper chamber and the inner chamber. The sealing washer has a through hole aligned with the through hole of the inner chamber. The stainless steel connector is engaged through the hole of the upper chamber, the through hole of the sealing washer, and the through hole of the inner chamber in order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Li-Ming Wang
  • Publication number: 20030224295
    Abstract: A method for transferring one or more substrates or masks in a storage box to an apparatus for handling, processing or using the substrates or masks or vice versa, the storage box including a cover having an openable cover part. The method includes providing the storage box onto an openable wall part of a wall of an enclosed protective environment of the apparatus such that the openable cover part overlaps the openable wall part, the protective environment being adapted to be filled with an inert gas or to be evacuated; opening the openable cover part and the openable wall part, whereby the cover of the storage box forms part of the wall of the protective environment and an inside of the storage box becomes part of the protective environment; and transferring at least one of the substrates or masks from an inside space of the storage box to an inside space of the protective environment, or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS, B.V.
    Inventors: Gert-Jan Heerens, Bastiaan Lambertus Wilhelmus Marinus Van De Ven, Robert Gabriel Maria Lansbergen, Erik Leonardus Ham
  • Patent number: 6651659
    Abstract: A pressurized gas supply system includes a pressurized container which expands and contracts. The container includes a one-piece liner molded from a polymer which is reinforced by a high tensile fiber such as KEVLAR®. A valve is molded into the liner, and a regulator is connected to the valve. A hose, having a conserver positioned therealong, extends between the regulator and a fitting allowing a user to inhale gas from the container. The container is carried in a carrying bag, which can be in the form of a carrying case, a purse, or a back-pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: John I. Izuchukwu
  • Publication number: 20030213805
    Abstract: An internally cooled pressure vessel includes a high pressure cylinder having a shell and a floating liner. The liner is restrained by the axial friction force between the liner and the shell. The pressure vessel has cooling grooves that can be cleaned and inspected in site. To cool the pressure vessel, cooling liquid is pumped into the bottom manifold, travels through the cooling grooves, and flows out the top manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Walter W. Robertson, Jason L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 6613112
    Abstract: LPG storing cylinder (1) has a top portion fixed to a valve block (2) provided with a through hole (4) for attaching a gas take-out nozzle (3). The gas take-out nozzle (3) is attached to the through hole (4) as it is urged with an urging spring (6) for valve closing. A gas take-out passage (7) within the gas take-out nozzle (3) communicates with the nozzle attaching through hole (4) by a window hole (8). A sealing ring (10) is fitted into a portion where the window hole (8) is formed to shut off a communication between an interior area of the gas storing cylinder (1) and the gas take-out passage (7). A guide pipe (12) to communicate the interior area of the cylinder with a valve chamber (5) projects from an inner end wall of the valve block (2) into the interior area of the LPG storing cylinder (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Iwatani International Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20030160054
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage unit which uses hydrogen storage alloys to store hydrogen, and more particularly a heat transfer management/compartmentalization system for use in such system. The hydrogen storage alloy may be divided into compartments, separated by discs, further divided into sub-compartments by a flapper wheel. The discs and flapper wheel provide for optimal heat transfer throughout the system. The compartmentalization of the vessel may prevent compaction of the hydrogen storage alloys, which could lead to excessive strain on the vessel causing damage, deformation, or rupture of the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Ned Stetson, Michael Marchio, Arthur Holland, Daniel Alper, David Gorman, Jun Yang
  • Publication number: 20030140607
    Abstract: A low pressure tank and filler mechanism for holding clean air for dispensing in the vicinity of a user. The tank can contain a plurality of balloon-like structures, each holding a certain quantity of low pressure air. The balloons are coupled to a central hollow column or manifold whereby pure air is either loaded or discharged from the balloons. The tank mates by an external valve into a filler machanism that conveniently fills the tank with air that has been purified by passing it through a series of different types of filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: George Benda
  • Patent number: 6593525
    Abstract: A system configured to deliver dry pressurized air, derived from ambient air, to underground or outdoor cables, conduit, waveguides, plenums or other air spaces for the purpose of preventing the ingress of moisture or contamination. The system includes a housing and a modular membrane pressurization unit removably received within an interior space of the housing. The housing has a base configured for being at least partially buried below ground level and an air intake above ground level. The modular membrane pressurization unit intakes humid ambient air from the environment surrounding the housing and generates a continuous supply of dry pressurized air housing that is routed to the underground air space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: Troy Inslee Vanderhoof, Brian Douglas Cross, John Michael Curry
  • Publication number: 20030089723
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic core container which is reinforced with a fibre-plastic composite, for storing pressurized liquid and/or gaseous media. Said container comprises one or more connecting parts located in the neck and/or base and/or cylindrical container part. At least one of said connecting parts (3) is configured for receiving a screw-in cylindrical or conical pressure-line feed device, such as for example, a valve or pipe connection. The invention also relates to a method for producing a plastic core container of this type. According to the invention, a cylindrical insert (4) is mounted in the connection shank of the plastic core container, said insert having an end collar that envelopes or surrounds the end of said connection shank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Ralph Funck
  • Patent number: 6548780
    Abstract: A technique for resistance welding an attachment such as a collar or base ring to a tank head section by causing welding current to flow through weld protrusions disposed on the attachment and which are pressed against the tank section. Electrodes are contacted to the attachment and the tank section in such a manner to provide for substantially equal welding current paths through the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Manchester Tank and Equipment Company
    Inventor: Arthur L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6547089
    Abstract: A tank cap has a cap part, a filler neck for receiving a refueling nozzle wherein the neck can be closed by the cap part via a rotary closure having at least two seals arranged on the cap part and active between the cap part and the neck. The sealing surfaces on the neck are provided behind a raised region of a protuberance and below at least one projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Tesma Motoren und Getriebetechnik Ges. m.b.H.
    Inventors: Gunther Pozgainer, Wolfgang Suppan, Gerald Lackner, Conrad Scharrer
  • Patent number: 6547092
    Abstract: A pressure vessel for containing a fluid at elevated pressure features an unstressed corrugated metallic liner forming part of a hermetic seal. The liner has corrugations extending parallel to a first direction to accommodate deformation in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Around the liner is a filler layer of elastic material forming a contiguous layer adjacent to the external surface of the liner and filling the corrugations. An external primary load-bearing container has at least one wall made of fiber-reinforced composite material adjacent to the filler layer. The shape of the primary container, the reinforcing directions of the fiber-reinforced composite material, and the mechanical properties of the filler layer are configured such that, under a given change in the pressure of the contained fluid, a strain caused in the liner parallel to the first direction is at least one order of magnitude less than a corresponding strain in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Solomon Chervatsky
  • Publication number: 20030066836
    Abstract: To downsize a high-pressure tank apparatus comprising: a high-pressure tank in which high-pressure gas is charged; and a valve mechanism including a regulator valve for reducing the gas pressure in the tank, to prevent damage to the valve mechanism, and to facilitate the handling of the valve mechanism and the like, the valve mechanism is provided at a gas outlet of the high-pressure tank to locate inside of the tank. The valve mechanism includes a capsule fixedly attached to the gas outlet in a gas-tight manner to face the inside of the high-pressure tank. Within the capsule, a shut-off valve for providing and interrupting communication between the inside and outside of the tank by its opening and closing, respectively, and a regulator valve for reducing the pressure of the high-pressure gas in the tank are disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: Samtech Corporation
    Inventors: Teppei Sakaguchi, Yoshiki Sakaguchi, Shaun C. Hogan, Kaoru Nomichi, Seiji Ishii, Takehiko Saeki
  • Patent number: 6527075
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a storage pack for storing gas under pressure for providing an onboard supply of the pressurized gas. The pressurized gas may be used as a medicinal gas, e.g. oxygen, on emergency medical vehicles, or the gas may be used as a fuel source for a motorized vehicle having a motor that runs on combustible gas. The gas storage pack includes a pressure vessel formed from a plurality of hollow chambers, which have either an ellipsoidal or spherical shape, interconnected by a plurality of relatively narrow conduit sections disposed between consecutive ones of the chambers. The pressure vessel includes a reinforcing filament wrapped around the interconnected chambers and interconnecting conduit sections to limit radial expansion of the chambers and conduit sections when filled with a fluid under pressure. The gas storage pack further includes a gas transfer control system attached to the pressure vessel for controlling gas flow into and out of the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt Inc.
    Inventors: John I. Izuchukwu, Stan A. Sanders
  • Patent number: 6519950
    Abstract: A device for storing gas includes at least one container (1) for gas, of the high pressure type, that has an outlet conduit with which is associated a branch (5) ensuring a closeable calibrated loss. The gas is in gaseous phase in this container over a range of pressures extending from about 40 to 250 bars and preferably from 50 to 200 bars and over a range of temperatures extending from about 15° K to 210° K and preferably from 20° K to 200° K. The device includes a thermally insulating envelope (2) in which the container (1) is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pierre Pelloux-Gervais, Patrick Sanglan
  • Publication number: 20030017125
    Abstract: A reshapable hair styling composition comprising heterogeneous (meth)acrylic copolymer particles, said particles being the same or different and comprising at least one (meth)acrylic copolymer comprising: (a) units derived from at least one monomer chosen from (meth)acrylate esters of branched and straight chain alkyl alcohols, (b) units derived from at least one monomer chosen from (meth)acrylate esters of saturated and unsaturated cyclic alcohols containing 6 to 20 carbon atoms, (c) optionally units derived from at least one monomer chosen from hydrophilic monomers, and (d) optionally units derived from at least one monomer other than (a), (b), and (c) monomers, wherein said composition provides a reshapable effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Isabelle Rollat, Henri Samain, Ollvier Morel
  • Patent number: 6508282
    Abstract: A cover for propane tank comprises an open top portion for enveloping the neck portion of the tank and a skirt portion for enveloping the cylindrical body of the tank. The skirt portion is generally rectangular when laid out flat and has opposed parallel longitudinal edges and opposed parallel lateral edges. Each of the lateral edges has a Velcro® strip which together form a closure strip to envelope the body of the tank, and a gathering ribbon at the bottom of the skirt portion, said gathering ribbon having end portions which can be tied together in the form of a bow to completely cover and envelope the cylindrical body of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventors: Santo G. Garofalo, Sandra L. Garofalo, John D. Zoidis
  • Patent number: 6492590
    Abstract: A liquid-proof enclosure includes first and second casing members engaging each other to define an interior space for receiving, retaining and protecting an electrical device. Each casing member has a mating flange engaging each other to encase the electrical device. A rib is formed along the mating flange of the first casing member and a corresponding slot is defined along the mating flange of the second casing member for receiving and engaging the rib thereby attaching the first and second casing members together and increasing length of a possible leakage path between the first and second casing members. An opening is defined between the first and second casing members. At least a circumferential slot is defined along a circumferential wall of the opening. A cable retainer retaining a cable forms ribs received in the slot of the opening for attaching the cable retainer to the first and second casing members and to prevent liquid leakage into the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: Ching Chi Cheng
  • Patent number: 6491182
    Abstract: A pressure vessel has a cylindrical side wall and a closed end joined to the side wall at a knuckle. The fatigue resistance of the pressure vessel is improved by autofrettage which moves a region of peak stress from the internal surface of the vessel to a region within the knuckle. Preferred are pressurized gas vessels of 6000 or 7000 series aluminum alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Luxfer Group Limited
    Inventors: Nigel John Henry Holroyd, Warren Hepples, Yi Gao
  • Patent number: 6484900
    Abstract: A camping-type container for a liquified gas fuel. The inventive container comprises: a container body formed of a transparent material such that a user can see the liquid level of the liquified gas fuel in the container; a top end structure provided on the top end of the container body; and a discharge valve provided in the top end structure, the discharge valve being a valve of the type attachable to a camping-type appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: W. C. Bradley Company
    Inventors: Roy E. Stiner, Gary Benjamin
  • Patent number: 6481592
    Abstract: A pressure and vacuum vent valve for a vehicle fuel tank is provided including a structure defining a passageway and having a vent valve assembly positioned therein. The assembly includes a pressure relief valve to relieve pressure from the fuel tank when the pressure exceeds a predetermined level and a vacuum relief valve to relieve a vacuum in the tank when the pressure in the tank drops below a predetermined level. The vacuum relief valve presents a lubricious sealing surface that engages a valve seat. The pressure valve engages a sealing surface to close a central venting orifice provided in the vacuum valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Harris